New Comics (12-05-2018)

Welcome to another edition of New Comics, where we give our suggestions on what books to pick up when perusing the comic shelves week to week. As always, I am joined by Kris Johnson. Read on to find the best of what the comic shop has in store for you this week.

PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) $3.99 (Image) – Prodigy is the latest product of Mark Millar’s new Netflix deal. This time he’s collaborating with the always brilliant Rafael Albuquerque for this story of the world’s smartest man, Edison Crane. Not only is Crane brilliant, but he’s managed to parlay that intelligence to such success in every avenue of business and combat that the governments of the world now come calling when they need to solve any little problem. When’s a dude supposed to find time for himself to just sit on the can and play a little Candy Crush? Very rarely, would be my guess. Sad. Don’t be a tall poppy, kids. They won’t let you play Candy Crush. (Kris)

SHAZAM #1 $4.99 (DC Comics) – Hey Kids, it’s Shazam! DC’s go-to guy Geoff Johns and superstar artist Dale Eaglesham bring you a new chapter in the life of Billy Batson with “Shazam and the Seven Realms“! This sounds like a fun time. Saving the day has never looked this good……we’ll it probably has but I’ve got a short term memory when it comes to these things. The one thing I am sure of is that this is probably better than a Venom comic. So what’s up next? (Andrew)

VENOM #9 $3.99 (Marvel) – Ryan Stegman is back in the art saddle for the latest chapter in Donny Cates’ character-redefining run! Last issue concluded a touching examination of the symbiote’s relationship with Flash Thompson while relaying the crucial detail that the sentient alien ooze is effectively brain dead as a result of the battle with Knull. This month, Eddie is forced to come to terms with exactly what that means. Sad TV dinners for one? Probably. (Kris)

FREEZE #1 $3.99 (Image) – You know that old saying, “Not everyone will be saved”? In Freeze, it’s up to one guy to decide if anyone will be saved, let alone everyone. A strange global event occurs which freezes the entire human population except for one person, Ray, who has the power to unfreeze them. But first he has to figure out why it happened and if the world does indeed deserve saving. I think we’re gonna go to some dark places here. Super stuff mixed with a reflection on humanity sounds like a good read to me! (Andrew)

BORDER TOWN #4 $3.99 (Vertigo) – Remember a few issues ago when that racist turd Blake was bitten by a chupacabra? Well it turns out that now that all off his skin has sloughed off of his body, he’s become a vessel for Santa Muerte and is fixing to cause all kinds of trouble on the mortal plane! Let this be a lesson to all: don’t be racist, or you’ll be transformed into a horribly disfigured Mexican demon. It’s a pretty universally applicable message, I think. (Kris)

JEPH LOEB TIM SALE YELLOW BLUE GRAY & WHITE OMNIBUS HC $100.00 (Marvel) – If you checked out Part 1 of the Geek Hard Holiday Gift Guide, you already know that I put this baby on the list. Collecting Daredevil: Yellow, Spider-Man: Blue, Hulk: Gray and Captain America: White, this is the quintessential comic hardcover for any Marvel superhero fan. Without a doubt, Loeb and Sale capture the true essence of these iconic characters and perfectly display what makes them tick. Buy yourself one and buy one for someone else. Buy one for me while your at it. (Andrew)

DOOMSDAY CLOCK #8 (OF 12) $4.99 (DC Comics) – Last issue, Ozymandias located Doctor Manhattan and attempted to talk some sense into the big blue, dong-swinging jerk-o. Y’know, see if there was any humanity left in that big, pulsating, radioactive form and maybe get his help to save the universe and stuff. The Doc told Ozy et al to get fucked. Veidt didn’t take that too well. Now his mission has changed: Instead of trying to ask Manhattan to change things, Ozy will now attempt to force Superman to make him. I’m sure the multiverse won’t be torn in half or anything. (Kris)

MERRY X-MEN HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1 $4.99 (Marvel) – Okay, I got something to say about this one. I want you to check it out ’cause it’s the holiday season and it looks like a lot of fun. But I have a problem with the title. Why the Hell was it not called the Merry X-Mas Holiday Special. It was an open goal. Come on! The title writes itself! The comic’s title aside, this looks like a great bit of holiday cheer. Merry X-Mas Everyone! (Andrew)

DARK ARK #12 $3.99 (Aftershock) – Land has been found, but is salvation at hand or simply a new set of challenges? To discover the answer, just do as I do and get your blasphemy on this holiday season by supporting this twisted take on the classic bible tale just a few scant weeks before celebrating the birth of that really forgiving carpenter dude! He’ll totally forgive you! (Kris)

MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1 (OF 12) $3.99 (DC Comics) – When it comes to DC Characters, you’d be hard pressed to find a more underrated hero than Martian Manhunter. The dude is pretty damn cool but most folks don’t give him the respect he deserves. Hopefully, all that will change with this new 12 issue maxi-series from Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo. Pick up issue one to find out that everything you know about J’onn J’onnz is a lie. I’m looking forward to some fantastic shape-shifting, mind-reading, strength-showing, mind-blowing action! (That Manhunter sure has a LOT of powers.) (Andrew)

So there you go. That’s this week’s New Comics. Check these books out and let us know what you think. We’ll be back again next week with more choice cuts of comic goodness.